From Aurangabad: 3-Day Tour of Shirdi Sai Baba, Ajanta, & Ellora.

Three days, three very different sides of Maharashtra. This private tour links the devotional center of Shirdi with the painted Ajanta Caves, the monumental Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara. I like the private air-conditioned car, which gives you control over stops and avoids the strain of arranging long Indian road journeys yourself. I also like the practical extras: bottled water, tolls, parking, fuel, and a torch for the darker cave chambers are covered.

The main consideration is the amount of driving. Shirdi takes about two hours each way from Aurangabad, and Ajanta is another long day on the road. The price of $87.95 per person is appealing, but cave tickets and any guide cost extra, so your final bill can be much higher.

Key Points Before You Book

• Shirdi is a full-day religious visit: The temple is about 115 kilometers from Aurangabad, with roughly eight hours set aside for the round trip and sightseeing.
• Ajanta requires a separate day: Expect about 100 kilometers each way and approximately two hours of driving in each direction.
• Ellora and Daulatabad fit naturally together: The temple, cave complex, fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara make a busy but rewarding final day.
• Your driver handles the road, not the monuments: Sightseeing is self-guided unless you arrange and pay for a guide.
• A private car suits couples and small groups: You travel only with your own party in a sedan or SUV, depending on group size.
• Check closure days carefully: Ajanta is closed on Mondays, while Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.

What the $87.95 Price Really Covers

At $87.95 per person, this tour offers good value if you are traveling with at least one companion and want transport arranged across three long days. A private air-conditioned car, driver, fuel, tolls, parking, taxes, service charges, bottled water, and a cave torch are included.

That list matters in India. You do not need to bargain for separate taxi rides, work out each transfer, or keep cash ready for every parking stop. You can also choose a sedan or SUV based on your party size, which is more comfortable than being placed in a fixed group vehicle.

The price is less complete than it first appears. For visitors from non-SAARC countries, the stated entry charge is ₹600 each for Ajanta and ₹600 each for Ellora. Bibi Ka Maqbara is listed at ₹300. SAARC visitors are given lower listed rates of ₹40 at Ajanta, ₹40 at Ellora, and ₹30 at Bibi Ka Maqbara.

There is also a guide charge of ₹9,500 per booking, and the tour does not include monument guides. That is a substantial addition, especially for one or two people. Before you pay, ask clearly if you want a guide for all sites, only Ajanta and Ellora, or no guide at all.

Shirdi’s VIP temple pass costs ₹200 per person. You can arrange it online or obtain it through the temple institute. It is not part of the tour price.

Day One: Shirdi Sai Baba and a Long Sacred Day

Your first day begins with pickup from your selected location in Aurangabad. The road to Shirdi covers about 115 kilometers and takes around two hours each way, leaving roughly eight hours for the full outing.

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is the focus here. This is not a quick photo stop. It is a major pilgrimage site, and the pace depends on temple entry, queues, and how much time you want for worship. The standard admission is listed as free, while a VIP pass costs ₹200 per person.

The private car is especially useful on this day. You can leave at the arranged morning time, keep your belongings with you, and return to Aurangabad without finding another taxi. The driver speaks Hindi and English, which helps with basic coordination and roadside questions.

The main drawback is simple: Shirdi is far from Aurangabad. You spend much of the day in the car, so I would choose this tour only if Sai Baba’s temple is important to you. If your main goal is ancient art and architecture, Ajanta and Ellora deserve more of your energy.

One practical point needs confirmation before booking. The tour information describes pickup from Aurangabad, while the included services also mention pickup at an airport, railway station, hotel, or any chosen location in Shirdi. Ask the operator to confirm your exact pickup place and return point in writing.

Day Two: Ajanta’s Painted Buddhist Caves

After breakfast, the driver meets you in your hotel lobby at 8:30 a.m. Ajanta is about 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, and the drive takes approximately two hours. The day is planned for around eight hours.

Ajanta is the artistic high point of the tour. The caves are cut into a horseshoe-shaped gorge and are known for Buddhist sculpture and wall paintings. The painted interiors are the reason to protect this day for Ajanta rather than trying to squeeze it into a rushed half-day visit.

You explore the site at your own pace with the driver waiting for you. That arrangement is convenient, but it has a clear limit: the driver is not automatically a site guide. If you want the stories behind the paintings, the religious scenes, and the different cave layouts, arrange the separate guide service before setting out.

The provided torch is a useful touch. Some cave interiors can be dim, and a small light helps you see carvings and details without relying only on the available lighting. Keep the beam controlled and avoid shining it directly at other people or sensitive painted surfaces.

Ajanta demands attention rather than speed. Give yourself time to look carefully at the sculptures and paintings instead of racing from entrance to entrance. The tour gives you a private vehicle, but it cannot shorten the road distance, so wear practical shoes and carry water. Bottled mineral water is included, which is welcome on a warm day.

Admission is not included. The stated rates are ₹600 for non-SAARC visitors and ₹40 for SAARC visitors. Check the applicable rate for your nationality before you budget.

Day Three: Grishneshwar, Ellora, and a Fort

The final day packs four stops into one route. Your driver meets you after breakfast at 8:30 a.m. for the approximately 35-kilometer drive to Grishneshwar Temple, a journey of about one hour.

Grishneshwar Temple

Grishneshwar, also called Shri Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga, is a major Hindu temple and the first stop before Ellora. The temple is only about half a kilometer from the cave complex, so the pairing makes excellent sense.

The visit is planned for about two hours, including the drive and temple stop according to the supplied timing. Temple customs and access rules can affect how long you spend inside. Dress respectfully and follow local instructions.

This stop gives Day Three a different mood from Ajanta and Ellora. Instead of beginning with rock-cut art, you begin with an active place of worship. That contrast is one of the strongest features of the route.

Ellora Caves

Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 34 caves and one of the world’s largest monolithic rock excavations. The complex includes Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, making it one of the best places in the region to see different religious traditions represented in a single site.

The centerpiece is Kailasa Temple, carved from a single mass of rock. Even without a guide, the scale is easy to appreciate. You can walk through courtyards, examine columns and sculptures, and see how much stone was removed to create the temple.

The timing supplied for the Ellora stop is inconsistent, showing only four minutes, so do not treat that figure as a realistic sightseeing period. The sensible reading is that Ellora is the main stop after Grishneshwar, with lunch afterward if you wish. Confirm the actual time available with the operator before departure.

Ellora is closed every Tuesday. Ajanta, by contrast, is closed every Monday. This makes the order of your three days important. Check the calendar before selecting dates, because arriving at the wrong cave complex on its closure day would waste a long drive.

The entry charge is separate: ₹600 for non-SAARC visitors and ₹40 for SAARC visitors. A torch is included, though natural and site lighting may vary from chamber to chamber.

Daulatabad Fort

After Ellora, the route continues about 13 kilometers to Daulatabad Fort. The fort dates from the 12th century and passed through the hands of the Yadava, Khilji, Tughlaq, and Mughal dynasties.

This is a fort for people who enjoy the physical side of sightseeing. The site is spread out, and the experience can involve walking and uneven ground. You should not expect a quick roadside viewpoint. The fort rewards patience, but it can feel tiring after Ajanta or Ellora.

The tour allows about two hours here. That is useful because you can set your own pace rather than being rushed through a fixed group schedule. Admission is not included, and the supplied information does not state the current ticket price, so ask before you go.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

The last stop is Bibi Ka Maqbara, about 16 kilometers from Daulatabad and roughly 6 kilometers from Aurangabad city. Built in the 17th century by Azam Shah, son of Aurangzeb, the monument was created in memory of his mother.

It is often compared with the Taj Mahal because of its form and purpose. Calling it a copy can undersell the visit. The monument has its own place in Aurangabad’s story, and its smaller scale makes it easier to appreciate as part of a city sightseeing day.

Plan around one hour here. The non-SAARC entry price is listed as ₹300, with a ₹30 rate for SAARC visitors. Since this is the final stop, it provides a gentler finish after the more demanding fort and cave visits.

The Private Car Makes the Route Easier

The strongest practical feature is the private transport. You are not waiting for other people, and only your own group participates. That is valuable when three days include long drives, religious visits, and large historic sites.

You receive an air-conditioned car, fuel, tolls, parking, taxes, service charges, bottled water, and a torch. A sedan should work for a small party, while a larger group can request an SUV. Confirm the vehicle type if luggage or extra space matters to you.

The driver is described as speaking good Hindi and English. Service records connected with this company specifically praise punctual and polite drivers, including Mr. Mannan and Mr. Sher Khan. Mr. Mannan has been noted for being helpful to solo passengers, while Mr. Sher Khan has handled airport transfers and several days of local transport.

That does not mean every driver will act as a historian. You should think of the driver as your road and logistics specialist, not as your monument guide. A separate guide is the better choice if you want detailed explanations at Ajanta and Ellora.

One useful strength is problem handling. A previous booking had a logistical glitch that was dealt with promptly, and the car and driver service was still described as professional. No transport company is immune to delays, but responsive communication matters on a route this spread out.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

I would recommend this tour to couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups who want a private base for several major sights. It is especially useful if you are staying in Aurangabad and do not want to plan three separate car journeys.

Solo visitors may find the private setup reassuring, since the driver is assigned to your party and pickup is arranged. The company’s past service has also received praise for punctuality, clean vehicles, airport timing, and polite drivers.

This is less suitable if you dislike long car rides or want a slow visit to each site. Ajanta and Shirdi each involve substantial driving, while Day Three asks you to cover a temple, Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi Ka Maqbara.

Families should consider the walking involved at the caves and fort. Most people can participate, but the schedule is active and the fort may be demanding. A private car helps you rest between stops, yet it does not remove the need for walking at the monuments.

Small Details That Improve the Trip

Confirm the exact pickup location, particularly if you are arriving at an airport or railway station. The stated start time is 8:00 a.m., while the Day Two and Day Three instructions specify an 8:30 a.m. hotel meeting, so ask which time applies to your booking.

Check the cave closure days before you finalize the dates. Ajanta closes on Monday and Ellora closes on Tuesday. This is the most important scheduling detail on the entire tour.

Ask for the total cost with entry tickets and guide service included. The headline price covers transport well, but the ₹9,500 guide charge and non-SAARC monument tickets can alter the value calculation.

If Shirdi is your priority, ask about the ₹200 VIP pass before you arrive. You can obtain it online or through the temple institute, but knowing your plan in advance will save time.

Book at least a day ahead of departure because the cancellation terms allow a full refund only when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book This Aurangabad Tour?

Book it if you want private transport, fixed planning, and a broad introduction to the Aurangabad region. The route brings together pilgrimage, Buddhist paintings, Hindu and Jain rock-cut monuments, a medieval fort, and a Mughal-era mausoleum. Few short tours offer such a varied set of stops.

I would book with two conditions. First, confirm the pickup time and location. Second, decide in advance if you need a guide, since self-guided sightseeing is included but the guide fee is not.

For a small group, the $87.95 starting price is strong value for the vehicle and long-distance driving. For a solo person who wants expert interpretation at every site, the extra guide cost may make the total less attractive. If you can handle the road time and plan around the closure days, this is a practical way to see the region without wrestling with India’s transport details yourself.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately three days.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is offered from a selected location in Aurangabad. The included information also mentions airport, railway station, hotel, or selected-location pickup in Shirdi, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transfers and sightseeing are provided in a private air-conditioned car. Fuel, tolls, parking, taxes, and service charges are included.

Are Ajanta and Ellora entry tickets included?

No. The listed ticket price for non-SAARC visitors is ₹600 per person at Ajanta and ₹600 per person at Ellora. The listed SAARC rate is ₹40 per person at each site.

Is a guide included?

No. A guide is not included. The stated guide charge is ₹9,500 per booking.

Which days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

Ajanta Caves are closed every Monday. Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday.

Can I get a VIP pass for Shirdi Sai Baba Temple?

Yes. A VIP pass is available for ₹200 per person. You can get it online or through the temple institute after arriving.